Savita Punia becomes most-capped Indian women’s hockey player during Asian Games 2026
FILE PHOTO: Last year, the custodian had become just the second Indian woman hockey player to reach the 300-mark in terms of international appearances after Vandana. | Photo Credit: PTI
FILE PHOTO: Last year, the custodian had become just the second Indian woman hockey player to reach the 300-mark in terms of international appearances after Vandana. | Photo Credit: PTI
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia became the Indian women’s hockey player with the most international appearances on Monday.
She made her 321st senior international appearance during India’s 17-1 thrashing of Indonesia at the Asian Games 2026, surpassing former India forward Vandana Katariya’s record.
Last year, Savita became only the second Indian woman hockey player to reach 300 international appearances, after Vandana.
Hailing from Sirsa district in Haryana, the 36-year-old became only the sixth woman hockey player to be conferred the prestigious Padma Shri earlier this year. She was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2018.
Speaking after the match, Savita said, “I want to start by saying thank you — to my family, my coaches, my teammates and every single person who has stood behind me since I was a young girl learning to save my first penalty corner. Honestly, I never thought I would reach this milestone.”
Career highlights
* FIH Goalkeeper of the Year: Three-time winner (2020, 2021, 2023)
* Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Vice-captain of the India team that finished a historic fourth
* FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Part of the team that finished fifth, India’s best finish in 52 years
* Commonwealth Games 2022: Captained India to bronze in Birmingham, with the medal secured by her match-winning penalty shoot-out performance
* FIH Nations Cup 2022: Led India to the inaugural title
* Arjuna Award: Recipient in 2018
* Padma Shri: Recipient in 2025
* Hockey India Baljit Singh Award: Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015 and 2024
* Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award: Player of the Year in 2021, 2022 and 2024
Published on Sep 21, 2026
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